The Weakest Pevensie

The River

I peered down at the river below, a sigh of disappointment escaping my lips. Just as Peter had predicted, the ice was indeed beginning to melt away. More than two thirds of the river that was visible to us was now running water. The ice cracked as it was continuously being separated from the rest and flowing aimlessly with the current. 

The silence was broken by Peter, his panicked voice stating the obvious. That we needed to cross, and we needed to cross now. "Don't beavers make dams?" Lucy added inquisitively, worry laced in her voice. "I'm not that fast dear" Mr Beaver stated. 

Peter hurriedly grabbed Lucy's arm, then mine, and pulled us towards the small slither of ice that was left atop of the river. "Wait, will you just think about this for a minute!" Susan pushed. "We don't have a minute" Peter yelled back, obviously frustrated at the situation and wanting to cross the river before it was too late. "I'm just trying to be realistic" Susan muttered. "No, you're trying to be smart, as usual!" and with that Peter was hurrying towards the river. Lucy and I in tow, followed by Henry and Susan, and then the beavers. 

Wolves howling in the distance caused all of us to stop in our tracks and silently listen for a few moments. Almost as soon as we stopped we were trekking through the snow again, only this time at a much faster pace than before, worried expressions masked all of our faces. Lucy and Susan were letting worried whimpers escape their lips, I was just trying to keep my breathing steady, which was proving to be a difficult task. 

We had now reached the edge of the river. Seeing it up close definitely caused doubt to plague my mind. I could see the others were also thinking the same thing as me. Peter took the lead and stepped on the ice cautiously. The ice sank from the sudden weight on it and Peter swiftly stepped back onto the solid ground. 

Holding his hand out to Peter, Mr Beaver decided it was best for him to try and cross the treacherous ice first.  Peter agreed, still shaken up by his brief experience of true fear. Mr Beaver took a painfully slow step onto the ice, and the crackling noise that it had caused pierced through my ears.  But the ice hadn't broken and Mr Beaver was still standing, for now.  "You've been sneaking second helpings, haven't you?" Mrs Beaver said, placing her hands on her hips, an unamused look plaster on her face."Well you never know which meals gonna be your last, especially with you cooking" he muttered the last part under his breath. 

With that Mrs Beaver cautiously followed her husband onto the ice as well, wincing with every step she took. Peter inhaled a shaky breath and proceeded to re-encounter the ice. He took a step onto it, holding Lucy's hand and she did the same. They were shortly followed by Susan, who braced herself as she took her first step. Henry turned to me with a gentle smile and held out his hand. I grabbed it firmly and took a deep breath. He took a step onto the ice and I followed. It was like I forgot how to walk, the combination of the slipperiness of the ice followed by the cracks were the most terrifying things. 

We were all shuffling slowly until we heard barking and howls from above. I turned my head towards the top of the waterfall, and was filled with dread. Wolves. Our slow shuffles turned into cautious sprinting as we tried to make it towards the other side of the river. Peter came to a halt as one of the wolves, I presumed to be the leader, pounced down, blocking our path. I turned behind me, hoping our way of escape off of the unsteady river would show itself. I was instead met with two wolves who snarled, showing their sharp, glimmering teeth. 

I could feel the tears pooling in my eyes, there was no way of escape, and the ice beneath us was slowly being eaten away by the current. We were practically done for. Mr Beaver tried to act intimidating towards the wolves, which ended in him being clawed at and Lucy letting out a scream of remorse. Peter unsheathed his sword and held it out in front of him defensively, Henry and I made our way next to him. 

"Back down boy, someone could get hurt" the leader of the wolves snarled menacingly. Mr Beaver was yelling at the wolf, but he paid no attention and continued his slow strut towards us. "Gut him while you still have the chance!" Mr Beaver yelled. "Leave now while you can, and your brother leaves with you" the wolf continued to slowly approach us. "Peter maybe we should listen to him" I pleaded, hoping my brother wouldn't do anything stupid. I couldn't lose them both within 24 hours, I just couldn't. "Smart girl" the wolf said, smirking. 

The next few moments were a blur as the waterfall began to crack. Peter plunged his sword into the ice, he screamed something at me but it was so muffled I couldn't hear what he was saying. Susan and Lucy grabbed onto Peter, Henry grabbed onto Susan and then firmly grabbed my wrist. All I could feel was the freezing water engulfed me and then it went black. 

I sat upright with a gasp and water escaped my mouth. I was coughing up water and gasping for breath, and I saw 3 pairs of worried eyes that belonged to Susan, Peter and Henry. Susan sighed in relief when she knew I was okay and Peter embraced me in a hug, the concern wiped from his eyes for a short moment. Henry laid a comforting hand on my back as they helped me to my feet. 

Coma, drowning, missing brother, almost eaten by wolves. My mediocre, boring life has become one of adventure and risk. "Wheres Lucy" I asked, looking around in puzzlement as to where my sister could have gone. Everyone joined me in searching the surroundings, and after a few moments my stomach dropped. The last time anyone had seen Lucy was in the water. "What have you done?" Susan screamed at Peter, while looking around frantically.

"Has anyone seen my coat?" a small voice questioned from behind me. I  spun around and there she was, Lucy was trudging towards us through the snow. Relief washed over our group as Peter handed Lucy her coat and kissed the top of her head. "I don't think you'll be needing those coats anymore" Mrs Beaver stated, looking at the blossoms that were starting to bloom. I let a laugh escape my lips at the sight, it was beautiful, and the witch was getting weaker.